In a surprising move, the Phoenix Suns have decided to waive veteran forward Nassir Little and second-year guard EJ Liddell, effectively opening up a roster spot. This decision is part of a broader strategy by Suns management to navigate an extremely tight financial landscape.
The Suns are currently carrying the highest payroll in the league at $219 million, placing them well beyond the financially restrictive "second apron" threshold. This status imposes severe limitations on their flexibility, including prohibitions on aggregating salaries in trades, acquiring more money than they send out in deals, utilizing any version of the mid-level exception, and signing players from the buyout market whose initial salary exceeds the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.
Nassir Little's Departure
Nassir Little, who was acquired as part of the blockbuster Damian Lillard-Jrue Holiday trade, averaged 3.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over 45 games in his lone season with the Suns. Despite the modest statistical output, Little's departure is significant due to the financial implications. Little had three years and $21 million remaining on his contract. To mitigate the financial burden, the Suns will deploy the stretch provision, which allows them to spread out Little’s $21 million over multiple years, effectively paying him $3 million annually until 2032. This move, while financially prudent, underscores the difficult decisions that teams with excessive payrolls must face.
EJ Liddell's Journey
Second-year guard EJ Liddell's stint with the Suns was brief yet eventful. Originally a second-round pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2022, Liddell's career was immediately derailed by an ACL tear during the Summer League, which sidelined him for his entire rookie season. He played only eight games last season for the Pelicans before being sent to the Hawks as part of the Dejounte Murray trade and later moved to the Suns in exchange for David Roddy. Liddell spent a considerable amount of time in the G League, working diligently to regain his form and fitness. Nonetheless, his journey with the Suns was cut short.
New Opportunities
With an open roster spot, the Suns have an opportunity to scout and potentially sign emerging talent or veterans willing to accept minimum offers. Earlier this summer, the Suns secured Tyus Jones on a minimum contract, demonstrating the front office’s knack for making strategic decisions under stringent financial conditions. This capacity for thriftiness will be crucial as they explore options to fill the newly vacated roster position.
The moves to waive Little and Liddell are indicative of the Suns' broader strategy to contend with financial pressures without sacrificing flexibility or long-term viability. It exemplifies their management's unrelenting commitment to making tough, but necessary, decisions to steer the franchise through the choppy financial waters of the modern NBA landscape.
While the financial rigidity imposed by exceeding the "second apron" poses significant constraints, it is evident that the Suns’ management is tactically navigating these challenges. Their decisions reflect a calculated approach to sustaining competitive performance while adhering to fiscal discipline. As the season unfolds, it will be intriguing to see how the Suns capitalize on their open roster spot and continue to maneuver through financial restrictions to solidify their standing in the highly competitive Western Conference.